Dad accused of murdering kids - no comment

A father said 'no comment' when asked if he had killed his children, a court was told. Petros Williams, 37, denies the murder of Theo, 2, and Yolanda, 4, found strangled to death at their Whalley Range home last year.

When questioned about what happened leading up to the murder, Mr Williams told the detective, 'I'm too tired'.

When asked 'who tied the cords around your children's necks?' Mr Williams also said no comment.

Det Sgt Murphy told Williams, seen hanging his head in the video, "This is your time to offer your version of events. If someone has killed your children and you know about it, now is the time to tell us."

"No comment", said Mr Williams.

Earlier, the court heard that Mr Williams had phoned two men his wife had been chatting to online last October.

Brian Nkenyasa testified that he was sent a text which said 'stay away from wife, you fool'. He also said he was called by a man he believed to be defendant, who angrily called him an 'idiot' before apologising and telling him not to contact his wife again.

In a statement Winston Edwards, who met Miss Molemohi for a date a few days before her children were killed, testified that he was contacted on October 12 by a caller who told him 'leave my wife alone'.

Suspicion

Soon after being arrested on suspicion of murder Mr Williams was taken to Stepping Hill hospital after complaining of dizziness.

There, it was found he had low levels of acid in the blood and high levels of potassium, plus an irregular and fast heartbeat. This could have been caused by a number of things, the court heard, including stress, trauma and the diarrhoea and vomiting he was suffering.

After Mr Williams was discharged, he was seen twice at Ashton under Lyne by Dr Marek Kukula, who declared him 'fit for interview'.

The second time Dr Kukula saw Mr Williams was in his cell, which he was refusing to leave.

The police surgeon told court that the detainee was lying on his bed naked and spitting, refusing to answer questions. He had also refused food and drink.

At the time the doctor noted that Mr Williams was showing 'bravado and bloodymindedness'. Jeffery Samuels QC, defending, suggested that this behaviour showed his client was not fit for interview and that the doctor should have examined him further.